How to Apply Lettering to Your Truck

Lettering your vehicle is one of the best ways to advertise your business. By lettering, you create a moving advertisement that is both eye-catching and relatively affordable.

Choosing to letter your vehicle is also an easy process that you can do all by yourself. Ordering vehicle lettering is as quick and easy as any other kind of advertisement, and applying it to your vehicle only takes a few minutes. There are a few things you should be cognizant of when lettering your vehicle; keep these things in mind, and you’ll make a fantastic mobile advertisement on your car or truck.

Part 1 of 2: Choosing your lettering

lettering with black font

Step 1: Select a large font size. In order for the lettering on your vehicle to be legible and eye-catching to other people, the letters should be a minimum of three inches tall (preferably at least five inches for easier visibility).

close up of side of truck with lettering and phone number

Step 2: Select a contrasting font color. The more your lettering contrasts with the color of your vehicle, the more noticeable the lettering will be. Make sure to pick colors that contrast with the specific vehicle that they will be on.

  • Tip: If you are going to place your advertising over a window, then you should use white lettering, as it is reflective in sunlight.

lettering with outline around it

Step 3: Select your slogan and details. When choosing a slogan and pertinent details for your vehicle’s lettering, you should try to keep it simple. The best slogans for vehicle lettering are five words or fewer, followed by only the most important information (phone number and website).

  • Choosing a short but sweet slogan and minimal details ensures that passersby will be able to read your entire advertisement. Your message is also more likely to stick with those who read it.

  • Tip: If the name of your business and the slogan don’t make it obvious what your company is, make sure to add that detail as well.

 side ofvan with logo outlined

Step 4: Bring attention to your lettering. In order to ensure that your vehicle’s lettering grabs attention, you’ll want to highlight it one way or another. One option is to outline the lettering, like a picture frame. Another way is to have a simple design, such as a line or a wave, underneath the lettering.

  • Tip: Using reflective lettering will also make your vehicle’s lettering a lot more eye-catching.

Part 2 of 2: Applying your lettering

Materials Needed

  • Bowl
  • Dish soap
  • Lettering
  • Level
  • Ruler
  • Sponge
  • Squeegee

Step 1: Clean your hands and the vehicle. Vehicle lettering will not stick very well if it is dirty, so make sure that your hands are clean at the start of the process, and that the area of your vehicle that you are applying the lettering to is very clean as well.

Step 2: Make a dish soap solution. Add two or three drops of dish soap to one cup of water, and reserve in a bowl.

  • Tip: You can also apply the vehicle lettering dry, but it is highly recommended that you use the wet method, as it is much more forgiving and easy to work with.

person marking out yourmechanic lettering

Step 3: Mark the lettering. Hold the lettering to the place on the vehicle where you wish to place it, or use a ruler to measure to the spot where you want the lettering to be. Then use masking tape or a grease pencil to mark the area.

Step 4: Apply the liquid solution to the marked area. The entire area that you will be lettering should be sufficiently wet with the dish soap solution.

person applying lettering to side of van

Step 5: Apply the lettering. Remove the backing from the lettering, and place it on the marked area of your vehicle. Use a level to make sure they’re even.

  • Tip: If there are pockets of air when you first apply the lettering, use your fingers to push them out.

close up of person applying lettering outwards

Step 6: Push out the remaining liquid solution. Starting from the middle of the lettered area, push out on the decal with your fingers or a soft squeegee to remove any dish soap solution that is trapped under the lettering. The lettering is then fully installed.

Adding lettering to your vehicle is a great way to advertise your business, and it’s very easy as well. With these simple steps you’ll soon have a car that looks great, and helps your business.


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